Bill Hillier Jr. and Three Hillier: First Father-Son Duo to Both Play in Frontier League
The Frontier League, founded in 1992 and debuting in 1993, is the largest and longest-operating independent baseball league in the country. History is often made in the league and the community-based nature of the league often sees multiple generations of employees who work at the stadiums across the league from the same family, but prior to last season, no father-son duo had ever both suited up and played for a Frontier League team.
When the Washington Wild Things signed catcher William “Three” Hillier III last season, no one initially realized the team was making history. William, nicknamed “Three,” is the son of Billy Hillier Jr., who, back in 1998, played in the same league that his son signed to play in to start his professional baseball career.
The father and son didn't even know at first.
"I didn't know that until Kyle (the Wild Things vice president of baseball operations and broadcaster) said something about it," said Three. "He asked me if my dad (was the same Billy Hillier that played for the Paints), and I was like, 'yeah, I'm pretty sure he did.' We never really put it together."
While Hillier and his dad may not have known when he signed with Washington that he was making history, it didn't make the moment any less special as he gets to keep up the baseball tradition his family has set.
Three has an incredible background in baseball. Growing up, his grandfather Bill Hillier coached the Duke Blue Devils baseball team from 2000-2005. Three’s father, Bill Jr., won first- and second-team All-Big South honors during his junior and senior seasons at UNC Asheville before joining the Frontier League in 1998 to play for the Paints.
Now in his second year with the Wild Things, Hillier said he was surprised with just how good the talent level is in the league. While he plays for Washington, he knows he's not just playing for himself, but also looking to live up to the expectations of his family's long baseball history.
While he followed in his father's footsteps, his path to the Frontier League was very different. Three spent five years in collegiate baseball, playing four years at the Liberty University before transferring to High Point for his last season. He carved out his own identity in baseball long before becoming a Wild Thing.
Not only was his road in baseball different, but he also grew up playing a different position than his father. His dad grew up as a pitcher, while Three grew up playing catcher.
"It was a position I started playing when I was little, and obviously, catcher is involved in the game pretty much every play," said Three. "So... I have a little attention deficit disorder, so keeping me involved in the game helps rather than just sitting in the outfield and picking grass. It's fun to be involved in every play.”
While they may not be the Manning family, Gordie and Mark Howe, the Petty or Earnhardt family, Felipe and Moises Alou, the Griffeys or Bobby and Barry Bonds, the Hilliers have their cool story: one that doesn't happen that often in the realm of pro sports.
No matter what the future looks like for this family with a deep baseball history, one thing is certain: Three is writing his own book.
